9 The Disciplic Succession

The Disciplic Succession

In order to make progress in spiritual life the Vedas enjoin that one
must accept a spiritual master in disciplic succession from God
Himself. In this way, the knowledge revealed directly by God is
carefully passed down without change from spiritual master to
disciple.

The members of the Krishna-consciousness movement are in the
Brahma-Madhva Gaudiya disciplic succession. This succession originated
with Lord Brahma, the first created being in this
universe. He was instructed directly by the Supreme Lord from within
the heart. Lord Brahma's disciple was Narada Muni. Narada Muni's
disciple was Srila Vyasadeva. The disciplic
succession was carried forward to Lord Caitanya, who, although He is
Krishna Himself, accepted a spiritual master in this line to set an
example. Lord Caitanya's direct disciples were the Six Goswamis of
Vrindavana, who carried out the tradition by initiating disciples of
their own and writing volumes of books about the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. In the modern age we have Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura,
Srila Gaura-kisora das Babaji Maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakura, and Srila Prabhupada; the founder-acharya of the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Srila Prabhupada empowered his disciples to carry out this most sacred
tradition. The disciplic succession is therefore continuing.
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